Tokyo, 29 February–6 March 2024: ERIA hosted a site visit of hydrogen power plants for the Mongolian Energy Economics Institute (MEEI) as part of a joint Policy Study on Hydrogen Energy in Mongolia, to analyse hydrogen production potential using electricity from renewable energy and how hydrogen impacts the energy landscape in Mongolia.

On the first day of the four-day visit to hydrogen demonstration projects in Tokyo, the MEEI delegation attended Smart Energy Week, an exhibition of renewable energy technologies such as hydrogen and fuel cells, solar power, batteries, biomass, smart grids, wind, and others. The Chiyoda Corporation welcomed the ERIA and MEEI delegations to its booth, and demonstrated its worldwide hydrogen supply chain including storage and transportation, and SPERA Hydrogen^TM for power generation. The delegations also visited other energy industry booths, including JERA, Japan's largest power generation company; IHI Corporation, a heavy industry manufacturer; and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

On day two, the delegations attended a meeting at the Chiyoda Corporation offices. Takeshi Miyasugi, Technology Expert of Hydrogen Business Development and Tsukada Ryuji, Technology Expert of Professional Services Division of Chiyoda Corporation gave lectures on hydrogen and fuel ammonia, covering production technology, applications, value chains, market trends, safety regulations, storage and transportation, as well as the cost of production and supply.

On day three, the delegations visited Yamanashi, a leading municipality in hydrogen energy development. Professor Akihiro Iiyama, Director of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Nanomaterials Centre at the University of Yamanashi, gave a presentation on the university's research into hydrogen and fuel cells. Sakamoto Masaki, Director of Social Implementation Division, Yamanashi Hydrogen Company, then discussed the development of a regional green hydrogen value chain using solar power in Yamanashi Prefecture.

On the fourth day, the delegations visited Chiyoda Koyasu Research Park in Yokohama. Daisuke Kurosaki, Business Development Group Leader of Chiyoda Corporation Hydrogen Business Department; and Go Saito, Chiyoda Corporation Business Development Section spoke of how the demonstration project has hydrogen storage capacity of around 50Nm3/h, and highlighted the dehydrogenation process to produce hydrogen.

The final meeting was conducted at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The ERIA and MEEI delegations met Tomohiko Adachi, METI's Director of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Strategy Office, Hydrogen and Ammonia Division; and Satomi Higuchi, METI's Assistant Manager Hydrogen and Ammonia Division, and discussed Japan's green transformation policy, and hydrogen and ammonia development strategy.

Joining the ERIA delegation were: Shigeru Kimura, Special Advisor to the President of ERIA; and Citra Endah Nur Setyawati, Research Associate Energy Unit. Those who joined the MEEI delegation  were: Makhbal Tumenjargal, Director of MEEI; Chinsetgel Batnasan, Research Officer; and Myagmarbaatar Dashravdan, Research Officer.